Mariposas

The single

Images coming soon.

BODY ovate, compressed, and elevated, covered with minute, cycloid scales; head small, rather pointed; mouth small, terminal; no teeth in adult; premaxillaries protractile; only one dorsal fin, very long, elevated, falcate in front, no spines; anal low, not falcate; both fins depressible in a groove; pectoral fins large, falcate; a pit at base of caudal above and below, as in certain sharks.

Fishes of large size and gorgeous colouration, inhabiting the open sea; highly valued as food, the flesh firm and rich.

The single known species is the opah, mariposa or moon-fish, Lampris luna. This interesting fish is found in the open waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. It is frequently taken on the coast of Europe and about Madeira, and is occasionally taken on the coasts of Newfoundland, Maine, and Cuba. It has also been taken at Monterey and other places on the California coast. It reaches a length of 3 to 6 feet and a weight of 50 to 400 pounds. It is called San Pedro-fish, cravo, soho, Jerusalem haddock, glance-fish, gudlax, and poisson Lune, in addition to the names given above. It is one of the choicest food-fishes, the flesh being firm, rich and of delicious flavour.

It is a fish of most gorgeous colouration. "Just imagine the body a beautiful silver," wrote the artist, James Farquhar, half a century ago, "interspersed with spots of a lighter colour, about the size of a sixpence, the eyes very large and brilliant, with a golden ring around them; you will then have some idea of the splendid appearance of the fish when fresh. If Caligula had seen him I might have realized a fortune." The colour in life, as seen by us, is a rich brocade of silver and lilac, rosy underneath; everywhere with round silvery spots; head, opercles and back with ultramarine tints; jaws and fins vermileion; flesh red of varying shades.